Electric flat-iron.



W. H. DALTON.

ELECTRIC FLAT IRON.

APPLICATION FILED APILIO, 1912.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. H. DALTON.

ELECTRIC FLAT IRON. APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 1912. 1,124,303. PatentedJan. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

WILLIAM H. DALTON, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC FLAT-IRON.

Applicationflled April 10, 1912. Serial No. 689,810.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. DALTON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Salem, county of Essex, Stateof Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Flat-Irons,of which the following description in connection with the accompanyingdrawing is a specificatiomlike characters on the drawing representinglike parts.

This invention relates to electricallyheated fiatirons, and has for itsprincipal object to provide an electric flatiron of novel constructionwhich is designed to operate with a minimum consumption of currentf Isecure this object by using a reversible iron having two ironingsurfaces, either one of which can be brought into operative position,and providing electrical heating means for heating both sides of theiron simul taneously, and by making the frame in which the iron is hungof sufiicient weight to make up the required load for the iron. By meansof this construction it is not necessary to make the iron itself ofsufiicient weight to properly perform the ironing operation, as thenecessary load for the iron. is provided in the frame and the iron can,therefore, be so constructed that its ironing surfaces may be heatedwith great facility.

Other objects of my invention are to improve flatirons, all as will bemore fully hereinafter described and then pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated a selectedembodiment of my invention which is sufficient to disclose the principlethereof, Figure l is a side elevation of a Flatiron embodying theinvention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line a:;r, Fig.3; Fig 3 is a sectional view on the line yg Fig. 2; Fig. shows themanner of connecting the line wires of the electric circuit to the iron;Fig. 6 is an end view of the iron-lifting device; Fig. 6 is an enlargedview of the frame for the iron; Fig. 7 is an enlarged section on theline a-a, Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a detail of the frame showing a supplementalhandle applied thereto; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line bb, Fig.8; Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of one end of the iron showing the mannerof insulating the terminals of the heating element; Fig. 11 is a detailof the handle for reversing the iron; Fig. 12 is a section on the line0c, Fig. 11'; Fig. 13 is a section on the line aZaZ,

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a. sectional view showing one way of securing thetwo parts of the lron together; Fig. 15 is a, fragmentary view showinganother way of securing the two halves of the 'iron together; Fig. 16 isan end view of the iron showing the position of the conductor cord indifferent positions of the iron.

My improved iron is capable of general use whenever any heated iron isrequired for smoothing or ironing purposes.

In F 1 I have shown a table 1 which may be used for supporting thearticles to be ironed, and the particular table shown is one designedfor sustaining skins or leather, although the invention iscapable ofbeing used for laundry purposes, or for any other purpose. The table isshown as supporting a slab 2 on which the skin 3 is placed. The ironcomprises generally a frame 4 which sustains the iron 5. The iron is anelectrically-heated iron and it is provided with an interior chamber 6in which is received the heating element. This heating element is in theform of a ribbon formed into a coil or coils and set on edge in thechamber, the ends of the coil extending out through apertures in thebody of the iron and constituting terminals to which the conductor cordsare secured. I propose to make my iron in two halves 7 and 8, each halfhaving an annular flange 9 at its periphery, so that when the two halvesare put together with the annular flanges 9 in alinement with eachother,the chamber 6 for the heating element is provided. The two halves of theiron may be secured together in any suitable way, as by means of rivetsor screws 10, as shown in Fig. 14, or by means ofan encircling band orhoop 11 that embraces the two flanges 9 and is secured thereto by screws12, as shown in Fig. 15. This iron is a reversible iron and is formedwith the two ironing faces 15 and 16, either one of which can be broughtinto operative position.

The heating element is shown at 17 and is in the form of one or morecoils of a flat ribbon-like wire having the proper electricalresistance. In the embodiment shown this ribbon-like wire is formed intotwo coils 18 and 19 arranged with the outer turn of each coil connectedto that of the other coil and with the ends of the inner turns of thecoils extended and projecting through apertures 20 in the iron to formthe terminals 21 to which the circuit wires 22 are connected. I haveherein shown the coil 18 as smaller than the coil '19 and as occupyingthe nose or pointed end of the iron, but this particular arrangement isnot essential, and the two coils may haveany size or shape that is bestsuited to the shape of the iron.

In assembling the parts of the iron a sheet 23 of mica or otherinsulating material is first placed in the bottom of one-half 8 of theiron and then the two coils 18, 19 are laid in position on the mica withthe turns of the coils on edge, as shown, and then a suitable cement 24having insulating properties is poured into the section 8 so as to fillthe spaces between the turns of the coil and between the coil and theflange 9 thereby insulating the coils from each other, and the coilsfrom the body of the iron. A second sheet of mica or other insulatingmaterial '25 is then-placed over the coils and the ends of the innerturns of the coil are passed through apertures in this sheet and areextended through the openings 20. A layer 26 of mica or other insulatingmaterial is then placed in the part 7 of the iron and the two parts arefastened together. The interior of the iron is then completely filledwith cement by introducing cement through the openings 27, 28 at theends of the iron for the pivotal pins to be hereinafter described, thecement which is thus introduced filling in the space between the sheets25 and 26 of insulating material and completing the insulation. When thecement is set the coils will be firmly held in place and the turns ofthe coils will be thoroughly insulated from each other.

The frame 4 of the iron isformed from a single integral casting and isprovided with the upper part 280 having at the ends thereof handleportions 29, 30 and also provided with depending arms 31, 32, said armsbeing formed as continuations of the handle portions. The iron is hungon trunnions or pivotal pins 33 which are secured in apertures 34 formedin the lower ends of the arms 31 and 32, respectively, said trunnionsentering the apertures 27, 28 formed in the ends of the iron. Thismanner of supporting the iron permits it to be freely turned about thetrunnions so as to bring either side thereof into operative position.

The handle portions 29, 30 are wound with a strip of leather or othernon-heatconducting material to provide a hand-hold of insulatingmaterial. The handle portion 30 is made hollow to provide a passageway300 for the reception of the conductor cord 36 that contains the wires22 that connect to the terminals 21. The portion 280 of the frame 4 isprovided with a boss 38 into which is screwed an upright tube 37 whichincloses a portion of the conductor cord 36.

The frame 4 is provided with an opening 39 at the lower end of the bossthrough which the conductor cord emerges and said cord then passesthrough the hollow handle 30 and from the outer end of the latter leadsto the terminals 21, as clearly seen in Fig. 1.

In my device the electrical connection with the iron is such that thereversin of the Iron does not bring any strain to bear on the connectionbetween the wires 22 and terminals 21. As herein shown the frame hasjournaled therein a shaft .40 provided with a handle 41 by which it maybe turned. This shaft has rigid therewith a C shaped arm 42 to which ispivoted one end of an elastic link 43, the other end of said link beingpivoted at 44 to the end of the iron 5 at a point at one side of theaxis thereof, as clearly seen in Fig. 7. The position of the iron isreversed by swinging the lever 40 in the direction of the arrow 11, Fig.7, with sufiicient force to carry the iron up beyond the verticalposition, and then swinging the lever 41 back again into the positionshown in Fig. 1, this operation carrying the link 43 into the dottedline position Fig. 7, and reversing the position of the iron. The lever41 is held in the position shown in Fig. 7 by means of a pin 45 thereonengaging an aperture 46 in a locking plate 47, it being understood thatthe leveris sufficiently flex iole to permit it to be moved laterally todisengage the pin from the aperture.

During the reversing of the iron the terminals 21 and the cordsconnected thereto swing from the position shown in Fig. 16 downwardlybelow the center and to the other side, and during this movement thereis nothing to interfere with the cords or put any strain on theterminals.

At the top of the tube 37 I have provided a socket member 48 ofinsulating material which is provided with two socket terminals 49 towhich the wires 22 of the conductor cord 36 are electrically connected.

51 is an attachment plug having terminals 52 adapted to enter thesockets 49 and electrically connected to the line wires 53. These wiresare shown as carried in a cord 54 which may lead to any suitable sourceof electrical supply. The advantage of this construction is that theportion of the conductor cord 36 occupying the tube 37 cannot becometwisted while the'iron is being used, and if in use the iron is turnedabout more or less any twist will be put into the conductor cord 54which is exposed and readily visible.

The handle 41 is shown as made from a strip of sheet metal which is bentat its through apertures in the arms of the U- shaped portion 55 of thearm 41. A nut 58 on the end of the shaft clamps the parts rigidly inposition. The block 56 is shown as having fingers 59 which embrace theU- portion 55 of the arm 41, said fingers serving to prevent the blockfrom turning.

60 designates a supplemental horizontallyarranged handle which can beapplied to the frame whenever a handle of this shape is desired. Thishandle is formed with a stem 61 which is adapted to be clamped to thearm 31 of the frame by means of a clamping block 62. I

In order to reverse the iron. it is necessary to have it suspended abovethe table 1 and to assist in holding it While reversing, I have providedthe lifting frame shown in Figs. 1 and 5. This frame comprises twouprights 63 connected together by a cross bar 64: journaled in suitablebrackets 65 that are secured to the top of the table. Each upright 63has an arm 66 extending therefrom to which is connected one end of acontracting spiral spring 67, the other end of said spring being securedto the table. The springs 67 tend to hold the frame in the. full lineposition Fig. 1. The tube 37 is provided with an arm or rest 68 whichcan be adjusted vertically thereon. When it is desired to reverse theiron the frame 63 is swung into the dotted line position Fig. 1 and theiron is moved toward the frame until the arm 68 passes above the crossbar 64. When the parts are in this position the swinging of the frameinto the full line position will lift the iron off the table and bringit into a position where it can be reversed without contacting with thetable. The s rings 67 are under the greatest tension when the parts arein the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, and, therefore, thesesprings assist materially in lifting the iron as the frame is swung intothe full line position. I

I have shown in Fig. 10 a manner of insulating the terminals from theflange 9 of the two iron sections. As shown, said terminals are inclosedin a sleeve 71 of insulating material which fits into the aperture 20.This sleeve can conveniently be made by two right angular pieces ofinsulating material that are'inserted into the aperture. After thesleeves are in place and the cement 24 is poured in, said sleeves becomefirmly locked in position by the ce-- ment. and said sleeves togetherwith the cement completely insulate the terminals from the iron.

In manufacturing my iron, I propose to make the iron 5 only ofsufiicient size to contain the heating element and to provide theironing surfaces of the requisite extent,

and -I .propose to secure the necessary load for the iron by making theframe 4 of more or less weight. The advantage of this is that I canmaintain the ironing surfaces of the iron at the required temperaturewith a less consumption of current than Where the iron itself is madeheavy enough to provide the necessary load or weight. With myconstruction the heat is conveyed from the heating element to theironing surfaces by conduction and both surfaces will be heatedsimultaneously. Because of the fact that the iron 5 itself does notcontain a superfluous amount of metal the ironing surfaces can berapidly heated. When the iron is being used the ironing surface which isin contact with the material being ironed will, of course, be losing itsheat, although heat will be continually supplied thereto from theheating element. When the ironing surface in use has cooled below theefficient point, then the iron can be reversed, thus bringing intooperative position the other ironing surface which has been accumulatingheat. While the ironing is done with this latter ironing surface, thefirst surface is being heated again and because of the construction ofmy iron, these surfaces not in use can be rapidly heated. I find thatwith this arrangement the ironing surfaces can be kept at the efficienttemperature with a much less consumption of current than would bepossible if the iron 5 had sufficient metal in it to constitute thenecessary load or weight for the ironing operation.

Another advantage of my improved construction is that since the ironingsurfaces are polished, they do not readily radiate heat, and, therefore,there will be a minimum loss of heat due to radiation from the ironingsurface not in use. Moreover, since the metal necessary to constitutethe weight or load for the iron is in the frame 4 which does not becomeheated, there will be no loss of current due to heating metal which isnot used in the ironing'operation.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to.secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electrically-heated fiatiron, the

combination with a body having a chamber,

of a resistance element in said chamber in the form of a fiat ribbon ofresistance material made into two coils which are coiled in oppositedirections with the outer turn of each coil connected to that of theother coil and the ends of the inner turns of each coil being carriedacross the coils and through the edge of the iron, and wire terminals onthe exterior of the iron to which said ends are connected.

2. The method of making a fiatiron comprising a chambered body made intwo parts, each having a portion of the chamber therein, and aresistance material within said chamber, which method consists inplacing a coil of resistance material In one part of the body, fillingthe chamber in said filling the remaining portion of said cha nber withcement.

3.'In an electrically-heated flatiron, the combination with aframehaving a hollow handle, of an electrically-heated iron pivotallysustained by said frame and provided with terminals which move with theiron as it turns about its pivot, and a conductor cord extending throughthe hollow handle and leading from said handle to the terminals, thelength of the cord between said handle and the terminals beingsufiicient to permit the iron to turn on its pivot without placing anystrain on the cord.

4. In an electrically-heated flatiron, the combination with a frameformed as an integral structure and comprising a top portion, twohandleportions, one at each end thereof, and a depending arm extendingdownwardly from each handle portion, of an I electrically-heated ironpivotally sustained by said arms and provided with terminals, one handleportion being hollow to form a cord-receiving passage, and a conductorcord extending through said passage and connected to the terminals.

5. In a flatiron, the combination with a frame, of anelectrically-heated iron pivotally sustained thereby and provided withterminals, a tube secured to and rising from the frame and provided atits upper end with-a socket member having two terminalreceivingrecesses, a'conductor cord extending through the tube and having wiresconnecting said recesses with the terminals of the iron, and anattachment block separable from the socket member and having terminalsto enter said recesses.

6. In a flatiron, the combination with a frame, of an iron pivotallysustained thereby, a shaft journaled in the frame, .connections betweenthe shaft and iron whereby turning movement of the shaft reverses theiron, a handle for turning the shaft provided with a U-shaped endthrough both arms of which said shaft extends, and a spacing blockbetween said arms and en-- circling the shaft, said block having fingersto embrace the U-shaped portion of the handle.

7. In an iron, the combination' with a revoluble ironing member having aplurality of separate smoothing faces, of means for electrically heatingsimultaneously-all the ironing faces of said member, and -a frame inwhich said member is revolubly sustained, said frame 'having sufficientweight to provide the necessary load for the 110Il.

8. In an iron, the combination with an ironing member having twoseparate independent ironing faces but having insufiicient weight ofitself to provide proper loads for the ironing operation, of electricalmeans for heating the ironing member, and a frame in which said memberis reversibly sustained and which has sufficient weight to provide thenecessary load for the iron.

9. The combination with a table, of an iron having a stem extendingtherefrom, an arm extending laterally from the stem, an

iron-lifting device pivoted to the top of the table and provided with across bar to engage the finger on the stem of the iron, and a springacting on the lifting device and tending to throw it into operativeposition.

10. The combination with a table, of an iron provided with a stem havinga laterally-extending finger, an iron-lifting device comprising two armspivoted to the top of the table and connected by a cross-bar, each armhaving a laterally-extending portion,

and a spring connected to each laterallyextending portion whereby whenthe arms are swung against theaction of the spring the cross-bar isbrought into position to engage the finger associated with the iron.

11. In an iron, the combination with a .reversible'ironing member havinga plurality of' separate smoothing faces, a frame in which said memberis revolubly'sustained, said frame having :suflicient weight to providethe necessary weight for the iron, and means to lock the iron with anyone of its smoothing faces in operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM H. DALTON.

Witnesses:

' LOUIS C. SMITH,

BERTHA F. HEUSER.

